Venetian blind slat



March 2, 1937.

G. D. DODGE VENETIAN BLIND SLAT Filed May 10, 1954 j? 2763772 67? GfOPGED. 00065.

Patented Mar. 2, 1937 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,072,835 VENETIAN BLIND 'sLA'r George D. Dodge, Evanston, Ill.

Application May 10, 1934, Serial No. 724,941

9 Claims.

This invention relates to Venetian blinds in general, and particularly to a Venetian blind slat construction.

The primary object of the invention is to pro- 3 vide a new and improved Venetian blind slat which is highly attractive and ornamental in appearance, which is relatively light inweight, which can be easily and quickly cleaned and kept clean, which is practically noiseless during operation of the Venetian blind and which diffuses light, at least one surface of the blind may be highly polished, if desired. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a Venetian blind slat having a filler about which there is applied a metal covering having a highly ornamental and attractive appearance.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a. Venetian blind slat which is constructed so as to eliminate or reduce considerably all rattling,

g0 ringing and metallic sounds, and therefore be non-resonant; which is fire retardant; which will not easily or readily curl or warp; which will stand high temperatures and therefore may be placed above a radiator without detrimental effects; which is capable of having or receiving an attractive and ornamental finish; and which is provided with an inner fibrous core or filler surrounded by metal capable of being assembled and made at a relatively low cost.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail elevation of a Venetian blind provided with slats embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of a slat showing the method of making the same.

Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 4& of Fig. 2.

The Venetian blind herein shown comprises a top bar I, a tilting bar 2 and a bottom bar construction 3. The bottom bar construction may be of the conventional type but it is herein shown as being the bottom bar disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,055,826, issued September 29, 1936, to Edward B. Nottingham. Tapes 4 are fastened to the tilting bar 2 and to the bottom bar construction, and provide means for supporting and spacing slats 5. Cords 6, operating about pulleys 55 I, may be provided as means for raising or lower- (Cl. 1561'l) ing the slats. The cords 6 may pass through alined openings 8 in the slats.

One form of slat construction 5, herein shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, comprises an inner core or filler 9 which is made of fibrous material, such as wood, cardboard and the like. The filler 9 may be provided with spaced openings 8 to accommodate the lifting cords where such lifting cords are required. Along the bottom of the filler 9 there is arranged a sheet or plate of relatively thin metal In. Another piece of relatively thin sheet metal H is arranged on the top of the filler 9 and is curved or crimped at each of its sides as indicated at l2, Fig. 3, to cover the side edges of the slat. The side edges I2 are bent to conform substantially with the shape or configuration of the inner filler 9. The free side edges I3 of the top sheet II are bent over the side edges of the slat and rest on the bottom of the slat overlapping the sheet ill a predetermined distance as indicated at M, Fig. 3. The metal members l0 and I I have openings punched therein, but these openings are preferably smaller than the openings 8 in the filler 9 to provide extensions l5 and IS on the bottom and top sheets Hi and II respectively. The extensions l5 and I6 are substantially equal to one-half the thickness of the slat and are crimped or bent upwardly and downwardly re- I spectively to provide a smooth metal covered interior surface ll about the side walls surrounding each opening 8, the metal being deformed or bent as described and when made the thickness above mentioned, will meet in a neat joint 18. The metal sheets 10 and II may be highly polished, or they may be plated, colored, or painted with a suitable material. It has been found that by chromium plating the outer surface of the metal, a mirror-like finish is provided which refiects or diffuses the light to a very high degree. This chromium finish of the slats also greatly enhances the appearance of the blind. The polished chromium surface provides not only an attractive and highly ornamental blind, but also provides high reflecting or diffusing surfaces. The outside light striking the highly polished surfaces on the slats can be diffused as desired according to the position in which the slats are tilted. Therefore,.all positive glare from the outside sun can be eliminated, but considerable light can be diffused or reflected into the room.

The fibrous filler 9 can be made relatively thin and light in weight, and when the relatively thin metal sheets Ill and H are fastened thereover, a relatively thin highly ornamental slat is provided. Also, the metal and the filler tend to provide a non-resonant slat whereby substantially all rattle and clatter will be eliminated during the operation of the blind. If desired, a suitable binder or adhesive I9 may be applied to the outside surfaces of the filler to fix or fasten the sheets I and I I firmly to the filler.

The ends of each slat 5 may be left open as shown in Fig. 2, or a suitable binder or filler substance may be applied to .each end of the slat to seal the ends and make them more attractive. Or, metal fillers or closures (not shown) may be arranged at the ends of the slats. These end closures may be supported by having extensions which fit over the filler 9 and under the sheets Ill and II, or the extensions may extend about the outer periphery of the slat as desired. Preferably, however, these closures are constructed substantially to the shape of the slat.

The filler 9 of the slat may be treated to make it unabsorbing. When so treated, end clips may not be required.

Furthermore, the bottom plate Ill could be omitted, as set forth in applicants co-pending application Serial No. 745,221, filed September 24, 1934, which matured into Patent No. 2,068,977 on January 26, 1937, wherein it is disclosed that the finished slat could have a highly polished metal on one side and the uncovered bottom could be painted a color to give each slat a twotone color effect.

Another way of applying a metal covering about an inner core to provide a non-resonant slat is disclosed and claimed in application Serial No. 85,009, filed June 13, 1936, by R. C. Pratt.

The herein disclosed invention provides a nonresonant Venetian blind slat whereby practically noiseless operation of the Venetian blind is had, as clanging and rattling are eliminated. The

slats are highly ornamental in appearance and are capable of being made in various kinds of metal whereby the slats may be left in the natural metal finish, or the slats may be polished, or they may be treated with lacquer paint or other material to provide the desired effects and coloring. Furthermore, the slats are rigid and durable and may be readily and economically manufactured.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts, and the method of constructing the slats may be varied to a slight degree without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In a Venetian blind, a non-resonant slat comprising a non-metallic filler and a thin sheet metal cover for the filler crimped about the edge of the filler.

2. A slat for Venetian blinds comprising an inner'filler member made of fibrous material,

and a thin sheet metal cover arranged about the filler to provide a non-resonant slat.

3. A slat for Venetian blinds comprising a fiat inner filler member made of fibrous material, and a thin sheet metal cover arranged about the filler, conforming to the outer configuration thereof to provide a non-resonant slat.

4. A non-resonant slat for Venetian blinds comprising a fiat inner filler member of fibrous material and a thin sheet metal cover arranged about the filler and bent closely about the edges of the filler member.

5. A non-resonant Venetian blind slat comprising a fiat inner filler member of fibrous material, a thin strip of sheet metal arranged on one side of said filler member, a second strip of thin sheet metal arranged on the other side of said filler member, the side edges of one of said strips being bent around the side edges of the filler member and overlapping the side edges of the other strip and pressed into intimate engggement therewith and against the filler memr. 6. In a. Venetian blind a non-resonant slat comprising a fiat inner filler member made of fibrous material having a. piece of thin sheet metal arranged on the outer surface of said filler member and secured closely thereto.

7. A Venetian blind comprising a plurality of superposed slats and having transverse openings therein, tapes supporting the slats and holding the slats in spaced relation, means comprising cords extending through said openings for moving said slats into position upon each other, means for tilting said slats, said slats having an inner filler and thin sheet metal about said filler whereby non-resonant slats are formed.

8. A Venetian blind comprising a plurality of superposed slats provided with cord receiving means, tapes supporting the slats and holding the slats in spaced relation, and means comprising cords associated with said cord receiving means for moving the slats into superposed contacting relation, said slats having metal surface portions and inner filler portions whereby slatstare formed that are substantially noiseless when drawn into contacting relation.

9. A Venetian blind comprising a plurality of superposed slats having openings therein, tapes supporting the slats and holding the slats in spaced relation, and means comprising cords extending through said openings in the slats for moving the slats into contacting relation, said slats having an inner filler of fibrous material and a thin sheet metal cover about the filler forming slats that are non-resonant and whereby the slats may be drawn into contacting relation without substantial noise.

GEORGE D. DODGE. 

